Taurasi helps Phoenix take Game 1 over LA

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Diana Taurasi posted 30 points and seven
assists as the Phoenix Mercury posted an 86-76 win over the Los Angeles Sparks
in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday.

Candice Dupree had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists while DeWanna
Bonner gave 13 points for the Mercury, who shot 50.7 percent (34-for-67) to
take a 1-0 lead in this best-of-three series.

Candace Parker, who won her second MVP award earlier in the day, totaled 28
points and eight rebounds for the Sparks, who got 16 points from Lindsey
Harding.

Game 2 of this series will take place in Phoenix on Saturday.

Trailing by five points entering the second half, Phoenix kept the game close
and later ripped off seven straight points with Dupree's layup giving the team
a 52-50 lead with 4:46 left in the frame.

The Mercury had another 7-0 run later in the frame and eventually took a 65-60
lead into the fourth quarter.

Parker's layup with 7:02 to play made it a 67-64 game, but Dupree followed
with a layup as Phoenix scored the next six points and Los Angeles was unable
to close the gap in the final minutes.